Cotton-distributer.



J. A. PARKER.

COTTON DISTRIBUTER.

- (Application filed Sept. 13, 1899.) (No Model.)

No. 553,525. Patented July In, I900.

2' Shaets$heet 1.

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Patented July l0, I900. J. A. PARKER.

CDTTUN DISTBIBUTEB. (Application filed Sept. 13, 1899.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

A TTORNEYS JoSEPI-I ANDREW PARKER, on DRIPPING sPRINcS, TEXAS, AssIe oR T0 HIMSELF AND PEDERNALES LEINNEWEBER, or SAME PLAoE.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent. No. 653,525, dated July i0, 1906. Application filed September 13, 1899. Serial No. 730.365. (N0 model.)

T 0 all whoa t it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH ANDR W PAR- KER, of Dripping Springs, in the county of Hays and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Cotton-Distributer, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

One object of the invention is to provide a means for equalizing the distribution of cotton to a series of connected receptacles and for retaining the cotton in the receptacles until it is desirable to deliver it to the hoppers or feed devices for cotton-gins.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for controlling the current of air employed to deliver cotton to the receptacles, the means being such that either a drawing or suction current ora retarding-current may be brought into service.

A further object of the invention is to provide a receiving or storage receptacle for each gin and to so construct the controlling devices for the receptacles that one receptacle, either the right-hand one or the header, may be cut out for any reason and without interfering with the operation of the others.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is tobe had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a seriesof cotton receiving and distributing receptacles, one of the receptacles, the last of the series, being in side elevation, and said Fig. 1 also represents a'vertical section through portions of hoppers adapted to conduct material to cotton-gins. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the upper portion of one of the receiving or distributing receptacles, the view being on a larger scale than shown in Fig. .1 and the sectionbeing taken on theline 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through one of the receiving or distributing receptacles. Fig. 4 is a section taken practically on the line 4-. 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of that portion of the machine at which the fan is located, and Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through a portion of the direct branch flue that connects the main flue with the fan for the creation of a suction-current.

A represents a main flue, B a series of cotton receiving and distributing receptacles directly connected at their upper portions with said flue A, and 0 represents a portion of hoppers adapted to conduct the cotton to the gins, a hopper being provided for each of said receptacles B. The main flue A is made in the usual formthat is, one end is adapted to be carried downward, so as to be brought over the bale of cotton to be distributed, while 6 5' the other end is connected with a fan-casing A through the medium of a direct branch flue A, and at this end of the machine a reverse branch flue A is also provided, conreceptacle B, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5.

The direct branch fine A and the reverse branch flue A are provided with valves, to be hereinafter described, and means for simultaneously operating the valves, and when said valves are operated the valves in one branch fine are opened when the valves in the other branch flue are closed. marked that the direct branch flue A when connecting the fan with the main flue creates suction in the latter, Whereas when the reverse branch A connects the fan with the main fine a retarding or driving current is obtained the reverse of the suction-current.

Any desired number of receptacles B may be employed, five being illustrated in the drawings, and the last or right-hand receptacle is usually termed a header.

It is well known that when cotton is distributed to a number of receiving-receptacles there is great.,liabi1ity of the bulk of the cot- 'ton falling into the first and the last receptacle, little being received in the intermedi- 5 ate receptacles. It is the prime object of this invention to provide an equal distribution of the cotton to all the receptacles, and, furtherv more, to provide a means for cutting off one or more of the receptacles without interfer- 10o ing with the operation of the remaining receptacles. Each receptacle B is preferably It may be here re- 80 made rectangular in general contour, being of greater length than width, and each receptacle is usually provided with a glass pane 10 at each side, so that the cotton in the interior may be rendered visible. .Each of the receptacles is provided with an elevatinggrate b and a distributing-grate b, and lowering-grates b are located in the upper portion of the suction-fine A to be used in connection wit-h the elevating-grates b of the receptacles B, with the exception of the elevating-grate of the first or left-hand receptacle, as shown in Fig. 1. The elevating and distributing grates b and I), while located at the upper portions of the receptacles B, are hung in the bottom portion of the main flue A.

In addition to the elevating-grates, distributing-grates, and lowering-grates, supporting-grates b are employed, that are located, preferably, between the center of the receptacle and the bottom of the same. The elevating-grates I) are placed in the receptacles B at their left-hand or entrance ends, or where said left-hand portions connect with the main fine A, as shown in Fig. 1, and each of said elevating-grates consists of a shaft 11 and series of fingers 12, that extend from the shaft in direction of the center of the receptacle to which the grate belongs. The elevating-grates are adapted to cause the cotton entering and passing through the main fine A to be directed upward to a greater or less extent. The distributing-grates b are located within the receptacles B, at the right-hand ends thereof, or the ends that face the outlet of the main fine A, as is also shown in Fig. 1. The distributing-grates b consist of a shaft 13 and a series of fingers 14, preferably longer than the fingers 12 of the elevating-grates, which fingers 14 of the distributing-grates extend in direction of the center of the receptacles B, but in a direction opposite to that of the fingers 12 of the elevating-grates. The distributing-grates b are primarily adapted to conduct the cotton flowing into the receptacles B to the centers thereof. All of the distributing-grates b, but especially the grate b that is in the receptacle next to the header, are provided with a lining 14 of wire-cloth, gauze, ora like material, secured to the under face of the grate, since when a grate b so constructed is in the position shown in the fourth receptacle, Fig. 1, said grate D will serve to separate the air and the cotton, causing the cotton to fall into the receptacle without interfering with the exit of the air, and the grates balso tend to protect the gauze linings 14.

The lowering-grates b are adapted to direct the cotton in the main flue downward toward the receptacles B when desired. The lowering-grates b are placed in the upper portion of the main fine A, just over the elevating-grates b, and said lowering-grates consist of shafts 15, provided with fingers 16, that extend in direction of the outlet end of the main flue, and said fingers when not needed are made to fit in recesses 17, provided in the under face of the upper portion of the main flue A, as is also shown in Fig. 1. Then the lowering-grates b are carried within the recesses 17 of the main flue A, the said main fine will be unobstructed at its upper portion.

The shaft 11 of each elevating-grate 6 extends out beyond one side of the receptacle B to which it belongs, and is provided at its projecting end with a handle 18, adapted to enter teeth in a rack 19, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the said elevating-grates b may be adjusted, as desired, from the exterior of said receptacles. The shaft 13 of each distributing-grate 1) extends out beyond the same side of the receptacles and is likewise provided with a handle 20 at its projecting end, that engages with the teeth of a rack 21, while at the same side of the device an end of each shaft 15 belonging to the lowering-grates is projected. Each of the shafts 15 is provided with a handle 22, adapted to engage with the teeth of a rack 23.

The supportinggrates b are adapted to hold the cotton until a suificient quantity has accumulated in a receptacle and then dump the cotton onto the valve-gates, to be hereinafter described. The supporting-grates b are arranged longitudinally of the receptacles B, while the elevating-grates and distributinggrates are arranged transversely of the said receptacles. The supporting-grates b are two in number and are located opposite each other, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Each of said supporting-grates consists of a shaft 24 and fingers 25, the fingers of one shaft extending in direction of the fingers of the opposing shaft, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3. One end of each shaft 24 of the supporting-grates 11 extends out beyond the right hand end of the receptacle B to which it belongs, and said shafts 24 terminate in crankarms 26, the said arms being L-shaped, and their terminals 31 approach each other and are at right angles to the said end portions of the receptacles, as is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4.

Just above each shaft 24 of the supportinggrat'es b a strip 24 of heavy oiled canvas or a like material is tacked or otherwise secured to the inner side faces of the receptacles B. These strips 24 extend from end to end of the receptacles and over the outer ends of the teeth 25 of said grates and then downwardly between the teeth of opposing grates, as is also illustrated in Fig. Under this construction when the supporting-grates b are brought together or carried to a horizontal position they form, in conjunction with the strips 24", an air-tight partition, and the cotton dropping into the tops of the receptacles B will fall on the cloth and will be held from passing out of the receptacles until said grates b are lowered or dropped to a vertical position, at which time the strips 24 will follow the course of the said supporting-grates and the cotton held in the receptacle will be free to pass out therefrom.

An adjusting device is provided for the supporting-grates of each receptacle B. As shown in Fig. 4, this adjusting device consists of a triangular plate 27, located, for example, at the left-hand end of a receptacle 1), and said plates 27 have vertical movement between guides 28, located at the side portions of the receptacles. Each plate 27 is provided with a V-groove 29. The terminals 31 of the crank ends of the shafts 24 enter the said groove or slot 29, as is likewise shown in Fig. 4. The plates 27 are further guided in their vertical movement by straps 30, that extend from one guide 28 to the other. A lever 32 is provided for each receptacle B, which levers and their connections may be located at either end of a receptacle or all of them at corresponding ends of the receptacles,as shown in- Fig. 1, or the levers 32 and their connections may be so placed that the levers of two adjacent receptacles will be opposite one another, enabling aperson to readily manipulate the levers of two receptacles. The lever 32 is fulcrumed adjacent to a side of the receptacle to which it belongs and extends ordinarily beyond the opposite side of the receptacle, and each lever 32 is adapted to enter recesses 34 in one of the guides 28, located upon a receptacle, whereby said levers may be held in adjusted position. Each lever 32 is connected with the upper central portion of a plate 27 by means of a link 33; but any equivalent connection may be made. Thus by depressing the levers 32 the plates 27 are carried downward, and the supporting-grates are carried to a downward vertical or discharging position, as shown in the third receptacle B in Fig. 1. When the levers 32 are carried upward, the supporting-grates are carried to theirhorizontalorretainingposition. (Shown in the other receptacles in Fig. 1 and likewise in Figs. 2 and 3.)

Valve-gates 35 are provided for the bottom of each receptacle, which bottoms are otherwise open. Each valve-gate 35 is hinged to a side of the receptacle, and each valve-gate is preferably covered at the top by canvas 36 or its equivalent. Springs 37, attached to the sides of the receptacles, have bearing upon the bottom portions of the valve-gates and serve to normally keep them closed. The gates are opened by the Weight of the cotton delivered thereto when the supporting-grates b are dumped.

In Fig. 1 at the left-hand receptacle B the elevating-grate bis shown'as having a-decided upward inclination, so as to direct the cotton with great force and rapidity over the first receptacle; but sufficient cotton will drop from the moving mass upon the distributinggrate b, which grate is given a downward and inward inclination, so as to direct the cot-ton properly to the central portion of the supporting-grates 19 In the second receptacle B the elevating-grate b is given less inclination upward than the corresponding grate of the first receptacle, and the lowering-grate b is inclined downward toward the elevating-j grate, thus causing the cotton to pass with considerable rapidity and force between the two grates above mentioned, and the falling cotton will be directed by the distributinggrate b of the second receptacle to the supporting-grates b In the third receptacle B the loweringegrate b is shown as closed up against the top of the flue A, the elevating to an engagement with the upper portion of the flue A, thus cutting ofi the last receptacle B and compelling the cotton to be distributed in the fourth receptacle, while the air will continue to pass to the outlet of the main flue. Thus it will be observed that the third and the last receptacle or header, under the arrangement above set forth, will be out 0% from receiving cotton, and the gins to which they belong may be put out of action or repaired.

A shaft 38 is made to extend into all of the receptacles B, and the said shaft is located below one of the shafts 24 of the supportinggrates b but nearer the doors 35 than the said supporting-grates, as also shown in Fig.

3. The shaft 38 is provided with a finger 39 in each receptacle, and normally these fingers are at the central portions of the receptacles, extending transversely thereof. When the supportingrates are dumped, the shaft 38 is given end movement, so that the fingers 39' will even the cotton as it falls into the hoppers O. This shaft 38 may be agitated in may ways. Preferably, however, a wheel 40 is employed, mounted to turn upon an axle 41, attached to a side of the direct branch flue A, and the wheel '40 is connected with an end of the shaft 38 through the medium of a wrist-pin 42 and a link or connecting-rod 43, as shown in Fig. 5. The direct branch flue A is provided with openings 44, located at opposite sides, and the reverse branch flue A is provided with similar openings 45. The openings 44 of the direct branch fine A may be closed through the medium of valves 46, secured upon shafts 47. These valves 46 normally extend downward, and each shaft 47 is provided with an upwardlyextending valve 48. These upwardly-extending valves are beveled at their upper ends, so that when they are brought together they form a tightconuection and a complete bar rier to the outward passage of air from the main fine A. When the upper valves 48 are opened, the lower valves 46 are closed, and vice versa. The reverse branch flue A is likewise provided with lower valves 49,adapted to close the openings 45, and upper valves 50, adapted to close together above said openings 45, as shown best in Fig. 5, and the valves 49 and 50 at each side of the reverse flue A are secured to a rock-shaft 51. The rockshaft 47 of one of the double valves belong ing to the direct valve-flue A is provided with an attached link 52, connected by a pin 53 with the stem 54 of an eccentric 55, attached to the hub of the wheel 40, (see Fig. 6,) While the opposing rock-shaft 47 at the same end is provided with an angle-lever 56, one end whereof is forked to receive the said pin 53 from the link 52, while the opposite member of the elbow-lever 56 is attached to a connecting-rod 57, and said rod is likewise connected with one end of an elbow-lever 58, secured to the end of the rock-shaft 51 of one of the double valves of the reverse flue A The opposing shaft 51 is provided with a forked link 59, that receives a projection 60 from the said elbow-lever 58. Thus it will be observed that when the wheel 40 is given a half-revolution the valves in the direct branch flue A will be opened at the top and closed at the bottom, while the valves in the reverse branch flue A will be closed at the top and opened at the bottom, as shown in Fig. 5. The fan in the casin g A will now act as an exhaust, creating suction in the main flue A, drawing the air from the inlet of the flue down through the direct branch A into the fan-casing and out through the openings 45 in the reverse flue A which openings are uncovered. If the wheel 40, however, is given another half-turn,the position of thevalves in the two branch flues will be reversed,the upper valves in the direct branch being closed and the openings 44 uncovered, while the openings 45 in the reverse flue A will be closed and the upper valves will be opened, whereupon air will be taken by the fan from the openings 44 in the direct flue and carried up under pressure through the reverse flue into the main flue A, thus creating a current that will retard any cotton that may be in the tube and force it to drop down into a receptacle or hold the cotton substantially in suspension in the main fine or force the cotton to the receiving end of the main flue. NVhile the receptacles are being filled with cotton the valves are in the position shown in Fig. 5, so that suction will be produced in the main flue A; but when the cotton is to be dumped from the said receptacles B the position of the valves is the reverse of that shown in Fig. 5, and a retarding-current is directed into the said main flue over the receptacles B.

In the detail operation of the machine, supposing all of the receptacles to be arranged for operation, the cotton of a bale is drawn up through the main fine A in the ordinary way and is distributed equally to all of the receptacles. After the receptacles have received their quota of cotton the supportinggrates are dumped by the manipulation of the levers 32. Preferably all of the supportinggrates are dumped simultaneously. The cotton then falls upon the grates 35 and is leveled by the arms or fingers 39, and the said valve-gates open under the weight of the cot ton, permitting the cotton to drop into the hoppers O, and thus pass to the gins. \Vhen the cotton is passed out from the'receptacles B, the valve-gates close automatically, and the supporting-grates are then brought to their horizontal or standing position, and the cotton of a second bale is distributed throughout the receptacles, thereby providing material in each receptacle to be supplied to the several gins and enabling all of the gins that are in order to be in constant operation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a cotton-distributer, a main flue, receptacles connected with the main flue, and means for producing at will a driving orsuction current, or a retarding-current, in the said flue.

2. In a cotton-distributer, a main flue, receptacles connected therewith, branches located at the delivery end of the said main flue, a blower connected with the said branches, each branch flue being provided with openings therein, and valves located in the said branch flue, arranged to close the flue above the openings therein and simultaneously uncover said openings, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a cotton-distributor, a main flue, a fan, branch flues connected with the main flue and with the fan, each branch flue being provided with openings for the admission or exit of air, valves for the said openings, and cooperating valves located above said openings,and means substantially as described,for simultaneously and oppositely operating the valves in the said branch flues, as set forth.

4. In a cotton-distributer, the combination, with a main flue and receiving-receptacles connected with said flue, said receptacles being provided with opposing adjustable grates located at the inlet and outlet ends of the receptacles at points where the receptacles connect with the main flue, of supporting-grates arranged for dumping action and located within the said receptacles, means for operating the said supporting-grates, and devices for creating a suction in the main flue, or for introducing a retarding-current in said main flue, as set forth.

5. In a cotton-distributer, the combination, with a suction-flue and a series of receivingreceptacles connected with said flue, said receptacles being provided with automaticallyoperating bottom gates and with adjustable grates at its upper end portions, said grates being capable of entering either the main flue or the said receptacles, of supporting-grates having dumping action and located between the bottom gates and upper adjustable grates, and a device for evening the cotton as delivered from the said receptacles, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a cottou-distributer, the combination with a suction-flue, of a receptacle connected with said flue, said receptacle being provided with opposing adjustable grates located at the inlet of the receptacle, the grate facing the outlet of the flue being adapted to be swung down into the receptacle to conduct the cotton into the same or swung up into the said flue to stop the passage of cotton therethrough and cause it to fall into the receptacle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a cotton-distributer, a suction-flue, a receptacle connected with the suction -flue and provided with opposing adjustable grates located at the inlet of said receptacle, one of said grates being adapted to elevate the cotton and the other grate to distribute the cotton to a central portion of the receptacle, supporting-grates pivoted near the lower portion of the receptacle, and means for operating the said supportingrates, as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a cotton-distributer, a suction-fine, a receptacle connected with the suction-flue, and provided with opposing adjustable grates located at the inlet of the said receptacle, one of said grates being adapted to elevate the cotton and the other grate to distribute the cotton to the central portion of the receptacle, supporting-grates pivoted near the lower portion of the receptacle, means for operating saidsupportingrates,and tension-controlled gates normally closing the bottom of the receptacle and adapted to be opened by the weight. of the material delivered to the bottom portion of the said receptacle, for the purpose described.

9. A cotton-distributer, consisting of a suction*flue,a series of receptacles connected with said flue, each receptacle being provided with an elevating-grate at its receiving end and with a distributing-grate also at its receiving end, each receptacle being provided with supportinggrates located below the receiving and distributing grates, and lowering-grates pivoted in said flue above the elevatinggrates, for the purpose set forth.

10. A cotton-distributer,consisting of a suction-flue,a series of receptacles connected with said flue, each receptacle being provided with an elevating-grate at its receiving end and with a distributing-grate also at its receiving end, each receptacle being further provided with supporting-grates located below the receiving and distributing grates, loweringgrates pivoted in said flue above the elevating-grates, means for adjusting the various grates from the exterior of the machine, and tension-controlled gates normally closing the bottoms of said receptacles, as described.

flue ordown into the receptacle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a cotton-distributer, an air-flue, a receptacle connected with the flue, a distributing-grate hinged to the upper portion of the receptacle facing the outlet of the fiue, to swing down into the receptacle or up into the flue, and a screen on one face of the grate, substantially as described.

14. In a cotton-distributer, an air-flue, a receptacle connected with the flue, a supporting-grate in the receptacle, and a flexible covering for the grate and forming therewith an air-tight closure for the receptacle, substantially as described.

15. In a cotton-distributer, an air-flue, areceptacle connected with the flue, a supporting-grate in the receptacle and formed of two hinged sections, and strips of canvas or the like secured to the sides of the receptacle and extending over and down between the gratesections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a cotton-distributer, an air-flue, a receptacle connected with the flue, automatically-closing gates for the bottom of the recep= tacle, a supporting=grate in the receptacle above the gates, and a flexible covering for the grate and forming therewith an air-tight closure for the receptacle, substantially as described.

17. In a cotton-distributor, an air-flue, a receptacle connected with the flue, a closure for the bottom of the receptacle, and a reciprocating leveler in the receptacle, substantially as described.

18. In a cotton-distributer, an air-flue, a receptacle connected with the flue, automatic closing gates for the bottom of the receptacle, a supportinggrate in the receptacle above the gates, a flexible covering for the grate and forming therewith an air-tight closure for the receptacle, and a reciprocating leveler in the receptacle between the gates and grate, substantially as described.

JOSEPH ANDREW PARKER. 

